O Brother, Where Art Thou? (soundtrack)

The O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack was the soundtrack of music from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou a United States film starring George Clooney. Set in Mississippi during the Great Depression, three friends escape from a prison chain gang and search for fortune and love. The adventure is loosely based on Homer's Odyssey.

The soundtrack uses U.S. music from the era when the film is set (American roots music): music appropriate to that time and place, a marked break from the current Hollywood practice. The score, produced by T-Bone Burnett, prominently features bluegrass, gospel, blues and country music. With the exception of one vintage track, most tracks are recent recordings by musicians who play in the vintage style. The tracks are by such artists as John Hartford, Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, The Fairfield Four and Norman Blake. Contrary to the Hollywood "common wisdom" that non-contemporary music alienates audiences, the soundtrack CD became a best seller.

Track listing

"Po' Lazarus" performed by James Carter and The Prisoners (4:31)"Big Rock Candy Mountain" performed by Harry McClintock (2:16)"You Are My Sunshine" performed by Norman Blake (4:26)"Down in the River to Pray" performed by Alison Krauss (2:55)"Man of Constant Sorrow" performed by Soggy Bottom Boys and Dan Tyminski (4:16)"Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" performed by Chris Thomas King (2:42)"Man of Constant Sorrow" performed by Norman Blake (4:28)"Keep on the Sunny Side" performed by The Whites (3:33)"I'll Fly Away" performed by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch (3:57)"Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby" performed by Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and Gillian Welch (1:57)"In the Highways" performed by Leah, Sarah, and Hannah Peasall (1:35)"I Am Weary, Let Me Rest" performed by The Cox Family (3:13)"Man of Constant Sorrow" performed by John Hartford (2:34)"O Death" performed by Ralph Stanley (3:19)"In the Jailhouse Now" performed by Soggy Bottom Boys and Tim Nelson(3:34)"Man of Constant Sorrow" (alternate take) performed by Soggy Bottom Boys and Dan Tyminski (4:16)"Indian War Whoop" performed by John Hartford (1:30)"Lonesome Valley" performed by The Fairfield Four (4:07)"Angel Band" performed by The Stanley Brothers (2:15)